Let's be innovative with transit

Chris Sikich in a Sept. 29 article wrote about how the choice for mass transit will be between bus rapid transit and light rail. Why are we even looking at 20th-century transportation solutions?

I've been to multiple Indy Connect meetings, and I get it. They want Hamilton County taxpayers to pay for a system that provides inner-city workers subsidized transportation to suburban jobs. As a Hamilton County taxpayer, I want to make sure that we get something more for the $1.3 billion to $5 billion than a fleecing.

Why aren't we looking for the 21st-century solution? Indy is home of the Indianapolis 500, which was built to showcase Hoosier automotive talent. Let us make Indy the place to showcase intelligent transport.

We need to spend the money to bring in high-tech, high-paying jobs and global companies that want to develop intelligent transportation. I'm sure you've seen the articles about cars that can drive themselves. Why aren't they here? Why aren't we putting out the welcome mat for these pioneers? Very quickly sensors could be placed throughout the city to provide instantaneous information so that a smartphone app can provide the best route every second. These same sensors can provide the infrastructure necessary for automated driverless vehicles.

Politicians, the real answer for inner-city workers is to get them great-paying jobs in the city, not to bus them to the suburbs. Please roll out the welcome mat, and we'll all get a better transportation system, economy and life.

Ron Ogle

Carmel

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Let's be innovative with transit

Chris Sikich in a Sept. 29 article wrote about how the choice for mass transit will be between bus rapid transit and light rail. Why are we even looking at 20th-century transportation solutions?